Well, a lot of things are not going our way recently. We have had some horrendous performances recently, we have fallen a bit in the title race and our technical director has left. We had injuries and it affected the way we played our games, we also had refereeing decisions going against us. Most important of all, it was a failure from the manager to not plan for it in advance. It was a failure of manager to not motivate players to play the way he wants. If you tell me that we can’t play the way we want if couple of players from starting XI are not available, then what’s the point of having a 24-man squad? You won’t have a 100% favourable condition, no matter which team you manage in whatever era. Today, against Inter Milan, on a Champions League night, away from home is the perfect place to show the world it was just a hiccup, and not the way forward. Let us make an statement with the ball.
Right, here I am in all the doom and gloom, EXCITED for the Champions League.
Team News
Lets start with a good news, Martin Odegaard is back in full training today. We needed him so badly to fix the creativity in that midfield and to get back on winning terms. He may not start straightaway but he would have some role to play tomorrow in case things don’t go as planned. Ben White was used as a substitute against Newcastle and should be available for the game. Declan Rice hasn’t travelled with the team, as a precaution to some discomfort. There’s no statement yet from the club but he is certainly not playing.
Arteta confirmed in his press conference when asked about Declan Rice
Declan unfortunately picked an injury against Newcastle. He was able to finish and he wasn’t feeling good the last few days. We’ll have to assess him on Thursday and see if he’s ready for Chelsea.
source: Arsenal.com
On Odegaard,
The positive news, Martin it’s great to have him back. He trained with us first time today. He’s a bit earlier than expected. But it’s great to have him here and we will decide if we use him tomorrow.
source : Arsenal.com
Back 4 is sorted with Ben White availability. Timber and White can cover LB and RB respectively. Midfield is going to be a problem again for Mikel. Thomas Partey and Merino will be present but who is going to play in place of Rice? We wouldn’t be risking Odegaard after 2 months of an injury to start straightaway in a highly competitive game against Inter Milan. Jorginho? May be. Because, apparently we don’t trust a 17 year old who had shown some good football in whatever minutes he has played.
We have been over-reliant on our defence. Defence wins you game – fine, but if you don’t score you lose 2 very important points. We need to go offensive against Inter, we need our front 3 to own up and not hide behind a non-existent midfield. It’s not like the likes of Saka, Havertz and Martinelli didn’t have chances, it wasn’t a lot but it was there. At this level, if you can’t convert a 50-50, you are not good enough. Lets not talk about Gabriel Jesus at all here.
I haven’t watched Inter from a long time. I don’t know how they play but I am guessing Martinez will be cause some chaos.
[this is a work in progress, please revisit to check the updates]
A quick skim through the news on Rice where the Mail says Rice has a broken toe and is a major doubt for Sunday. It later says that a Rice will be given every chance to prove his fitness Saturday.
When you run those statements through the microscope we’ve danced at that rodeo before with Beckham’s metatarsal. The fact is for all the will he or won’t he razzmatazz, he didn’t make it not that anyone gave him a chance bar the media fueling their coffers on the country’s footballing insecurities.
This is hardly Beckham 2:0 with our Rice because a broken toe simply does not heal in 4 days or so unless our new emerging hero has Marvel blood in him, giving him super healing powers.
I mean what other possible explanation can be given for a broken toe to have recovered enough to face a very physical Chavs side in just a few days? Does Jesus really have a hotline upstairs? If he did, he’d be scoring more, so I don’t see that.
So, back too reality, is it going to be a pain killing injection straight out of the Tony Adams play book of being our bionic man and rightful CB/CH legend of all time, well, with Frank McLintock that is?
It’s the only way Rice plays if he really has broken his toe.
Ode is back at least for 60 minutes and Ethan is chomping on the bit for MA to let him choose when he wants to start. Remember MA’s words he going to let Ethan decide when he wants to play?
Anyone buy that? You didn’t Ambarish, did you? lol
Start Ethan with Ode and Partey at a solid 6. I’d bang the 3 at the back drum for that game keep midfield full with little space inside or out to play through. If it is a broken toe, and Rice is hell bent on playing or bending to MA’s wishes – maybe both then at least limit Rice’s tactical inclusion to dropping into the back 5 if needed – after all Rice is a CB and his aerial ability would be very useful.
If Declan has a broken toe I hope he has the sense to let it heal fully before returning to play. If he doreen’ that will be an Achilles heel to him with far longer on treatments tables in the long run.
Ethan is the full ticket with it all in his young footballing brain and magical boots. He is going to be a wonder to watch and is ready for the big games now unless I’m mistaken? To me he was commanding when he came on against Inter always finding space and full of tricks once he’s found his match mojo, which doesn’t take that long now and would take even less if he started a few games.
I predict Ethan can be better than Fabregas and has the skills in his lockers to bring smiles to DB10’s face probably scoring as many as Dennis did or more as he’s only 17.
The kid has got it all in my book and I hope we can keep him for 10 years by finding players with his footballing IQ and vision along with Saka and Saliba……
Once MA has gone the future is very bright with a few tweaks, 4 new player additions and sell offs.
An elite 8 (Jamal Musiala?)) & 9 (Isak, Watkins, Kudus, Viktor Gyokeres?) with Ethan as the understudy to Ode and who we buy at 8. Replace Partey but keep for another year while the replacement beds in.
My 4th player would be a very 2-footed winger with pace and a Saka footballing intelligence in the making again, as an understudy for Saka and Martinelli who the latter I think will grow quickly under a manager with acute player developing skills. Someone like Emery, perhaps?
Anyone got 4 players they’s bring in?
TRVL
Snapping up Viktor Gyokeres under Manure’s nose would be a very cool statement to make for the new incoming DoF/TD, would it not? I read his buyout clause drops to around £63m. If he is the real difference maker, why not shell out £90 or whatever the buyout clause is in January?
Problem is he’s already turned us/MA down and MA has made it no secret his myopic top TW pick is Nico Williams.
My question is why not buy both January, and let’s finally win this fcuking PL trophy?
What will lord Josh do?
I’d tell him you know it makes sense , Rodney sorry I mean Josh ……….. £200m window on 2 players with little need to spend next summer, and a team who can finally fire in all departments., not just some at different times during a game.
While the others are all agreeing no one buys in January, why not get ahead of the game by doing just that?
I was trying to think who I’d compare Ethan Nwaneri to and in running replays in my mind of his recent minutes and I tough maybe he’ll be the kid to finally fill Liam Brady’s boots?
Am I off base with this?
Enjoy for those who don’t know him….. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VH4XA_t5dgo
The great Liam Brady…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrqlY2TDB_Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFOK03X5NLM
KP
I wonder if Trump is aware of the difference in the Islamic world or he tars them all with the same brush. I expect he may hate the Shi’i Iranians more than the Sunni Arabs but I expect that might be down to the side of the bed he got out of or his wife had replaced his bright blue pills with placebo’s.
The females of Liverpool love Trump for one thing – he has a tan they would die for.
NORG
I think the main problem is that the lackies underneath him share the same hateful political philosophy but are actively engaged in bringing it about.
Trump, on the other hand, is a mad befuddled old cunt looking to avoid justice and carry on raping women while his timid, stupid wife stands idly by. It’s a fucking shitshow and even Marc’s ideological equal Starmer is sucking up to him.
Yeah, even his orange atom tan paint is badly applied as if he can’t be arsed to cut in the edges. 🤬
KP
I briefly saw a news headline today about the Spanish changing Visa arrangements – will this affect your plans for Girona. I see that it has also been hit was heavy rain with many cars being washed away.
A few decades ago we stayed on the outskirts of Pals, a small hilltop, pedestrianised town/ village not far from Girona. We went in a couple of times and it seemed fairly quiet unlike the city a train ride away down the coast.
A few weeks ago we were in Trieste. A really nice place – clean, plenty to do and safe. No drunken idiots on a saturday night – just everybody having a very pleasant time.
couple things:
(1) “I don’t think about [needing a reset],” said Arteta. “Nobody works harder than me, I guarantee you that.
“We don’t need a reset. In one particular aspect we need to go from 95 (effort) to 100. I will not tell you what that is.”
what a douchebag…try working smarter, not harder on occasion…as for the latter remark, just more cryptic nonsense from our smarmy MIT
(2) seems like one of my old favs, Rosicky, and West Ham’s technical director, Steidten, are on our radar as Edu’s replacment…my personal biases have me leaning towards the former, as he hardly seems like someone who would kiss anybody’s ring, but the latter has identified some good pieces over the years, even though it hasn’t really translated on the pitch
(3) by no means am I suggesting that Trump hasn’t uttered some insane/untowards comments regarding Hitler, Jews, Muslims etc, but I refuse to put too much stock in anything that comes from his twisted mouth…this whole fucked up journey started somewhat innocently in 2011 when Obama roasted an unsuspecting Trump at a White House Correspondents’ Dinner…little did the former President know that this most fragile of small dicked fucks would refuse to rest until he obtained what he felt was an appropriate level of redemption…up until that point Trump was far more friend than foe of the Democratic Party, even though just like every other rich fuck he had made it rain on both sides of the aisle…as is commonplace amongst egomaniacal wannabe fat cats they typically surround themselves with so many yes men that whenever they’re actually forced to hear what everybody in the room is thinking they don’t react well
of course in order for someone of his particular ilk to reach the world’s highest office he would have to make friends with a whole host of gutterfuck bedfellows…as such he would end up saying all matter of things simply to appease anyone he thought might propel him forward…now this isn’t to suggest he doesn’t believe some of the things he endlessly spews, but considering the contradictory nature of many of his comments I very much doubt much thought went into anything that emanates from his piss-bucket of a mouth…unfortunately the fact that the American people have doubled-down and put their crazy rich uncle in office again, I fear that he might have to follow through on some of those off the cuff promises he’s made, which fills me with an inordinate amount of trepidation…here’s hoping that most of his public displays of bravado are more bark than bite and when it comes time to put his words into action his true chickenshit nature will reveal itself again and some sort of normalcy will win the day…fingers and toes fucking crossed
“We don’t need a reset. In one particular aspect we need to go from 95 (effort) to 100. I will not tell you what that is.”
That’s why we burn out and collapse every season you dopey fuckwit.
That 95 to 100 comment put me in mind of Animal Farm and the horses (ie the Soviet Peasantry in the post revolutionary period) who thought working harder and harder was the solution despite the state capitalist evidence and corruption to the contrary. Tets is actually more like one of the pigs – talking the talk but corrupt as fuck (Stalin) and getting fat and powerful from the labour of others.
NORG – I’ll have to revisit it, but we already are resident and thankfully have the cards to prove it . My Catalan is coming along nicely and I’m also learning Cymraeg which is great fun. Nos da. 🏴
KP
“I fear now that the atmosphere between psychopathic world leaders is more akin to the 1930s and we know how that ended.”
This is the tragedy about having a lifespan of 80 to 90, people who remember those times are no longer alive and the vast majority of people are not interested in history therefore they are bound to repeat the same mistakes, and if these people are in powerful positions, the nation, country, state or community will suffer.
Every single person alive has a measure of practical wisdom and thinking ability unfortunately the vast majority abuse it rather then use it. Therefore how can one navigate this situation?
For me, I am fortunate that I had parents who raised me with values and how to make right decisions, therefore I am in the position where I can say fuck it, I am out of here, this place is dangerous to my physical health and sanity. Fortunately I live in Maryland, a state that has educated middle management retirees from the federal government and it shows in there common values and thinking ability.
Here is an example. Larry Hogan (R) was governor during the pandemic. He cared for the citizens of Maryland and since health is a state responsibility and not federal, when he found out that the different governors were bidding against each other for PPE stock, he asked his wife to use her South Korean contacts for procuring PPE stuff. He then send a Maryland State owned plane to Seoul to pick up the equipment, had it flown to an undisclosed location from where his National Guard transported it to an undisclosed location, because he knew that the Trump administration would confiscate it. We did well during the pandemic, because we had sane people around us. No mask mandate and pandemic deniers, but people that cared for each other, a rarity in some parts of the US.
Knowing the stupidity of people in the US who pay more attention to what the Kadashians do then people who are a pleasure to be around, makes it easier for me to live without stress and anxieties here. I lived for 12 years in North London and I thought I never say this, that I miss the common knowledge and dry humor of the Brits and that says a lot coming from a German ( /on=mode Sgt Schultz) As you know we once were the best ( /off=mode Sgt Schultz)
Couldn’t give a fuck what happens on Sunday, just watched on Peacock THE match of the week, Ireland v New Zealand in the Aviva stadium in Dublin. While normally I want the men in green to win but this time I want to see the ABs do a number also on France next week. Still to come on Saturday England v Australia and on Sunday Scotland v South Africa. Thanks for the Autumn Nations Series to divert my attention from Shitteta thee series finishes Nov 30th Ireland v Australia.
“His new position could allow him the autonomy he’s desired—a significant shift from the heavily regulated environment Arsenal has imposed around transfers. As noted, Edu reportedly expressed frustration over “certain deals becoming protracted” due to the board’s approval requirements. In his new role, he is expected to have far more freedom to shape the transfer strategies across Marinakis’ clubs”
Interesting comments from Ornstein, who during Wenger’s latter reign was the go-to guy for in-house information, whatever that means…is this supposed to suggest that the higher-ups are the stumbling block, even though that seems counterintuitive considering the unprecedented level of investment, or that his “freedom to shape the transfer strategies” was stymied by the fact that MA had the ear of the board members, which in turn severely diminished his role…this latter dynamic would help to explain the snail’s pace of our last window, especially if Edu wanted nothing to do with the Cala and/or Merino buys
imagine if we found out that Edu had a Striker all lined up but MA, with the help of the board, put the kibosh on it…if this were the case, I would be very intrigued to know who Edu’s primary targets were the past couple of windows…of course this is all speculative banter until further information emerges, which likely won’t happen anytime soon unless this parting of the ways was acrimonious in nature…so far that doesn’t appear to be the case, but the abrupt timing of it all does give me cause for pause…after all who the fuck leaves in November?!?
Hi Killroy
Good stuff. As ex-Trump press person Scaramucci suggested a few days ago, there is no longer a recognisable Republican Party. It’s morphed into a family cult where people express and seek to act on their very worst thoughts. The entire Trump family are corrupt and Russia is the winner. You think of the cold war and wonder why Americans have let their decades long sworn enemies take control of the US. There are very real echoes of late 30s Germany.
I used to drive quite frequently from DC to Baltimore and sometime liked to get off the I-95. I always enjoyed crossing the sign indicating the Mason Dixon line and likened it in my mind to crossing an older version of the iron curtain or the Scottish-English border. It’s a gross simplification of course because there are good and bad people everywhere but the (Yankee) north always seemed noticeably more humane and fair than many points south of DC. MD was one of those states which felt more comfortable to be in than Mississippi despite the awfulness of parts of Baltimore and Philly. Louisiana, Mississippi or say Texas were always more edgy and tense in my view. New Orleans and Louisiana generally were fucking scary places during hurricane Katrina. National Guard on the streets, evidence of looting, floating bodies and the smell of decay. In the so-called land of the free.
Enjoy the rugby mate and stay safe.
TRVL/Marc
I read those quotes just before coming to LIR and where to be honest it just leaves me numb. You can’t even banter about that because it’s insane. I think that if they made a One flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest remake, MA could easily fill our much loved and respected Jack Nicolson’s shoes or at least visually when MA looks his darkest. Just a matter of practicing the single eyebrow raise.
Problem just when MA looks down and out, something saves his ass. An emphatic 1:3 win tomorrow with Chavs getting a red card set piece for the 1st and giving 2 penalties away or similar is just as likely to happen as we lose 3:0.
Start Ethan and we at least get a point and score form open play is my view.
If we are going to go down, then go down fighting and swinging hard until the final whistle for the entirety of the game. Be the footballing gladiators they are paid to be, and I’d be happy because when we play well with the right selections and tactical set up, we can beat anyone.
Often this season we are beaten before we start because our starting selections play into our opponents hands where we are allowed to plat in the first 2/3s of the pitch, but get stifled in the final 3rd, in most games and why we rely on set pieces.
Killroy
1976 onwards for me around West End Lane and around Camden were good years particularly for music, where from Camden I spread my wings attached to bands and tours that led to my nomadic life. That whole NW1 area was a really cool place for intelligent and well cultured people to enjoy the live music venues in the area and over to Chelsea & Fulham. When Carnaby St and Camden markets were legendary at the time.
Hogan’s Hero’s was a favorite of mine. Shultz became iconic, but the show never hit the Mash levels of clever hilarity and innuendo. When I was on tour in the States I’d look for unseen episodes of Mash in 78 onwards. Late 70s and through the 80s The west coast was a great place to be.
I am looking forward to going to the Sphere in Vegas just to take in the tech first and foremost.
https://www.thesphere.com
Audio Visual tech is where I’m most happiest particularly working with immersive sound.
Completely agree the Ireland v All Backs game was brilliant as was the England game, which I feel we lost when we could have won as did Clive Woodward. Bothwick is a players manager, but not sure if he’s right to win us trophies.
We’ll see after this tournament.
“Arsenal are paying the price for standing still with summer transfers…the Gunners didn’t improve their starting lineup or add depth in the right positions and it could cost them…the frustration is that they have been unable to take charge of the title race when the chance to do so was there. Instead they are playing catch-up after a summer of missed opportunity”
Spot on assessment…an all-too-familiar refrain for our manager who can’t seem to see the forest for the trees…much in the same vein as our former manager, when everyone says zig, he inevitably zags…now if he were a manager of a particular ilk, who had won anything with his chosen squad, I would be inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt, but for me his actions are far more ego-driven than strategic in nature…as such, I refuse to remain silent while this bloated head fuck wastes a rapidly closing window
Meanwhile
Fulham win 2-0 over Crystal Palace , with Smith Rowe scoring 1.
On scoring he put his finger on his lip. Apt , to say ” see ,now don’t ever bench me telling I am injured “
Hoopah,
ESR should never have been sold. We are without a creative midfielder from more than a month and that lad is scoring for fun in a Fulham side.
I don’t think I am wrong in saying that those 30 odd millions earned is costing us much more.
City conceding to go 1 all with 10 odd minutes left.
And Brighton score a second.
City definitely don’t look the team of old.
And Arteta’s not even close to being in a position to take advantage.
Can’t wait for the fanboy’s to explain how Slot winning the PL in his first season is to be expected by Arteta going backwards is all part of the plan.